Assembly Notes

Maritime Team May Finally Get Its Own Boat

As it stands now, the Hampton Roads Maritime Incident Response Team does not have a vessel to call its own. In case of a shipboard fire, oil spill or other emergency, the team must wait for an available vessel so it can respond. That shouldn't be allowed to happen, said Ben Burbic, vice president of the Newport News Fire Fighters Association, Local 794.

Burbic asked Hampton Roads lawmakers Monday to support earmarking $465,000 in each of the next two years for equipment and start-up costs for the MIRT team. That budget amendment has been sponsored by Del. Phillip A. Hamilton, R-Newport News, and Sen. Ken Stolle, R-Virginia Beach.

Burbic said the money would pay for administrative costs, a response boat and an all- terrain vehicle so the team can take its equipment on the road to respond to emergencies in other areas of the state.